The Nigerian Delegation, led by the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation (HAGF) and Minister of Justice, HE Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, joined the 10th Conference of States Parties in Atlanta to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) on December 11.
During the conference, the Honourable Attorney-General emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to combating corruption and outlined achievements in areas such as the adoption of a ‘Beneficial Ownership Register’ and the establishment of the Nigerian Open Contracting Portal.
In his statement, he addressed the damaging effects of corruption on Nigeria, including the loss of billions of dollars to foreign havens.
Despite these challenges, Nigeria has proactively taken measures to combat corruption, block leakages, and recover stolen assets. Notable achievements include sponsoring resolutions on asset recovery, international cooperation, and beneficial ownership transparency.
The Honourable Attorney-General highlighted the Nigerian Open Contracting Portal, designed to enhance transparency and accountability in procurement, fostering citizen participation and improving the ease of doing business.
He outlined key priorities in the fight against corruption, including criminal justice reform, asset recovery, and beneficial ownership transparency.
Furthermore, the Honourable Attorney-General acknowledged international cooperation, such as the return of USD 1 million by the US Government in a corruption case.
He expressed the Nigerian government’s willingness to cooperate with French authorities in recovering an additional USD 150 million of the Abacha loot.
The Nigerian delegation, which included representatives from various governmental bodies, actively participated in the conference. Civil society organizations, such as the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISCLAC) and the African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), also played a crucial role in the event, emphasizing the joint effort to combat corruption.
Additionally, Nigerian Government officials, civil society members, academia, and the private sector engaged in numerous side events during the conference, addressing challenges and sharing achievements in preventing and tackling corruption.
UNODC’s Strategic Vision 2030 for Nigeria aligns with the national agenda, aiming to increase integrity and accountability, as well as enhance the recovery and return of stolen assets.
